Vehicle-axle and axle-box.



No. 705,864. Patented. luly 29, I902.

H. H. PORTER.

VEHICLE AXLE AND AXLE BOX.

(Application filed Nov. 6, 1897 (No Model.)

g L IIIIII/IIIIII '4 HENRY H. PORTER, OF DOWAGIAC, MICHIGAN.

VEHICLE-AXLE AND AXLE-BOX.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 705,864:, dated July 29, 1902. Application filed November 6, I897. Serial No. 658,109. (lilo model.)

To all whmn it ntay concern: v

Beitknown that I, HENRY H. PORTER, a citi- Zen'of the United States, residing at the city of Dowagiac, in the county of Cass and State of Michigan, have invented a certain new and useful Vehicle-Axle and Axle-Box, of which the following is a specification; I

This invention relates to improvements in vehicle-axles and axle-boxes.

This invention is an improvement in many particulars on the structure shown in my'Pat ent No. 559,146, issued April 28, 1896, by the United States to me for a combined vehicle box and axle, though this invention has features of its own. While the structure shown in my former patent is exceedingly efficient. I found that it could be made more so. I found also that in applying my former structure to the hubs the usual mechanic employed for the purpose by manufacturers of vehicles was likely not to fit the parts together Properly. As a result of this-it became ne'c essary in order to guarantee the results that the parts be fitted to the Wheel at the factory before shipping to the manufacturer of vehicles.

The objects of this invention are, first, to increase the efficiency of the same in axle and axle-boxes for excluding dirt and Water and the like; second, to provide a construction of vehicle-axle and axle-box adapted to exclude dirt and water that is easy to applyjto the hub; third, to provide an improved construction of axle or axle-box in which dirtv is 'excluded that shall be artistic in appearance? fourth, to provide such a structure that can be applied easily to the style of vehicle-hubs already in use without unduly weakening the same. in the detailed description to follow. I accomplish these objects of my invention by the devices and means described in this specifica-f tion.

The invention is definitely pointed out, and

' of axle and axle-box with a double nut.

Further objects will definitely appear sectional elevation through a vehicle-axle hub and box, showing my improved construction Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a part of a vehicleaxle, showing the spindle embodying the features of my invention, which is removed from the axle-box, adapted for use with a single nut. Fig t is a perspective detail View of ;the axle-box removed from the hub. Fig. 5 shows the usual single nut for application to the end of that style of axle-spindle In the drawings similar letters of reference refer to-similar parts throughout the several views.

Referring to the lettered parts of the draw- .ings, A is the spindle of the axle. The spindle is made in the usual form or can be supwhich is V-shaped in cross-section'-that is,

the ring is formed with an acute angle projecting inwardly from the hub and out from its center. This ring 0 is concentric with the ringrB, and there is an open space between the two..

Qnth e axle, in addition to the usual collar, is a collar D back of it, which has an outwardly-projecting cup portion D, adapted to fit within the ring B of the axle-box B. The V-shaped portion 0 projects within this cup portion and fits the interior thereof. On the outside of this ring D is the dust-groove E. :On the usual shoulder or collaron the spindle is provided a dust-groove F. The usual washer H is placed next the shoulder of'the spindle. V

Itwill be noted that the ring B onhtheaxleboxB is comparatively narrow, so that it does not need to project into the hub but a short distance, as clearly appears in Fig. 2 of the drawings, thereby cutting away but a small portion of the hub. The axle-box is secured in the hub in the usual way.

From this description the construction of the various parts must be clear. It will be observed that when in use any mud, dust, or water getting on the hub or on the projecting axle-box ring will be largely excluded by the ring D fitting into ring B; but should any dirt gather it will be largely retained in the dirt-groove E. Should anything pass that point, it will pass into the openings outside of the V-shaped projection, and if it does not adhere to the surface of the same and it drops down from this projecting portion it is thrown much farther out away from the spindle. If anything passes the projecting portion 0, it is collected into the space immediately afterward. The projecting portion does not have a tendency to engage and grind dirt and force it along, on account of its angular form. Should, however, any dirt come in contact with the same and be ground and it passes this point, it will, as stated above, be in the open space formed between it and the collar D at that point and will rest upon the same and pass around, lodging at the top, where it will not be likely to be acted upon by the revolving axle-box. Should any dust by any possibility be forced past this point, it will be promptly engaged in the dirt-groove F, which is made large, and will certainly positively retain any accumulations on their passages toward the axle-spindle. The construction is so perfect and effective that when in place and the Wheel is properly oiled and a stream of water is turned upon the same at this point for a considerable time none will enter the wheel axle-box, though the wheel be rotated at the same time. vVater under such circumstances is much more penetrating than dirt, and all such would certainly be excluded from the bearing by this means.

This structure has the advantagesof which I have spoken,that the axle and axle-box can be made and inserted into the hub in the usual way, thus saving the necessity of specially fitting sets of wheels with the same where manufacturers desire to use them and save expense in manufacture, transportation, and trouble in so doing. This structure is also advantageous because it does not call for a careful fitting-of the hub and the axlebox, and much of the expense is thus saved. While all parts are here shown integral with the axle or axle-box, it must be clear that they might be constructed separately and suitably joined together. The integral construction is to be preferred on account of its greater strength and durability, and as all of the parts are true circles they can be easily turned to the form required.

I desire to state that my construction can be greatly varied in its details without departing from my invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a vehicle-axle and axle-box the 00111- bination of the spindle A, with the usual or main collar formed thereon with a dirt-groove F, and an additional collar D, of larger diameter with forwardly-projecting cup-shaped flange D, containing dust-groove E, on its outside; the axle-box having formed in connection therewith the rearwardly-projecting outer ring B, adapted to fit over the flange D on the axle, and having a V-shaped projecting ring 0, concentric with ring B, the acute edge of which is adapted to fit the interior of the collar D, leaving an open space within the collar D, on each side of the V- shaped portion; all coacting together substantially as described for the purpose specified.

r 2. In a vehicle-axle and axle-box the combination of the spindle A, with the usual or main collar formed thereon and an additional collar D, of a larger diameter with a forwardly-projecting cup-shaped flange D; and an axle -box having formed in connection therewith a rearWardly-projecting ring B, adapted to fit over the flanges D, on the axle and having a V-shaped ring concentric with ring B, the acute angle of which is adapted to fit the interior of the collar D, leaving an open space within the collar on each side of the V-shaped portion, coacting for the purpose specified.

3. In a vehicle-axle and axle-box the combination of the spindle A, with a collar of comparative broad diameter thereon, having a forwardly-projecting cup-shaped flange; and an axle-box having formed in connection therewith a rearwardly-projecting V-shaped ring portion the acute angle of which is adapted to fit within the flange on the axle forming an open space within the flange to each side thereof, coacting for the purpose specified.

4. In a vehicle-axle and axle-box the com- 

